If your company is already tightening its belt, it might not do much good asking for a raise during your next performance review. Instead, consider asking for other perks that might be almost as good as cash in your pocket.

Workplace blog WorkAwesome has some great tips for getting the equivalent of a raise from your boss the next time you're due for a compensation hike. If she's likely to turn down even a cost of living raise because of budget cuts and layoffs, hit up the higher ups with creative ways to recognize your value as an employee.

How about a flexible schedule? If you're a morning person, maybe they'll let you come to the office at 7:00 and head out in the early afternoon when your co-workers are still chained to their desks. Or, maybe you can offer to work longer days Monday through Thursday and take Fridays off.

Telecommuting is another option to explore:

Would they be willing to let you work from home a day or two a week? If you got to be around the house more often, your dog would stop mistaking you for an intruder. You could also save thousands on your kids' therapy abandonment issues if you were able to appear on the sidelines of some of their sporting events before Junior starts growing a beard. I'm puzzled by places that don't allow at least some telecommuting. I tend to get more work done from home because I want to show my accountability when I'm not physically in the office. I'm also more relaxed and creative. Companies don't have to lease as much commercial space and it keeps cars off the road

Hit up the post for more ways to ask for other perks in exchange for a fat raise at your next review. Have you ever tried something like this with your boss? How'd it go? What kinds of creative ideas did you come up with? Share in the comments.